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Law School Personal Statement Requirements

Do you need a new personal statement for each law school you apply to? Probably not. (Except for the University of Florida Levin College of Law and the University of Colorado-Boulder). But do you need to change your essay slightly for different schools? Probably.

To help you figure out what you need to do (because following the directions provided by each school is part of what you are being tested on when you apply to law school – rule following is slightly important for lawyers), we’ve put together a chart for each school. See below for links to each law school’s personal statement requirements and instructions. I am listing it by school ranking because most people apply to schools that are similarly ranked and I thought this would make it easiest for you to find the schools you are looking for.

13 thoughts on “Law School Personal Statement Requirements”

Ann, I keep trying to contact you and submit the form but it won’t let me. I want to know more about your services. I have been on your blog for hours and find it extremely helpful. I also have read your book and it is so useful!

I was wondering whether I (as a white, upper middle-class woman) should write a diversity statement. I think there are things that might make me stand out among typical applicants (I’ve directed a major documentary film project, for example, which isn’t something I plan to include in my personal statement), but I don’t know whether something like this is inappropriate to include in a diversity statement or if I should just hope they notice that in my resume. Thanks!

I took the LSAT about 2 years after undergrad and applied to a private school in 2008 (when everyone apparently was applying) and didn’t get in. I have a 2.8 GPA and an LSAT score of 157. The low GPA was due to some personal issues (death of my best friend, death of my grandfather, and coming out to my parents). I was battling major depression but didn’t withdraw from school when I probably should’ve.

In any event, I’ve been working as a paralegal since then and have tons of trial experience, am in the courtroom on a weekly basis with my supervising attorney, and am truly ready to reapply. I have to take the LSAT again and get new letters of recommendation. I doubt I can get any great LORs from my university as it’s been 10 years, so I’m thinking one from my boss and one from a current District Judge would be good. Thoughts on a third?

Also, what angle do you think I should use in the personal statement, as I feel like I should explain my GPA but also include how I battled through some tough times and came through in a positive light.

Kassie,
Thanks for reaching out. I assume you’re planning to retake the LSAT?
Professional letters of rec are going to be perfect for you. I can’t comment on personal statement topics on the blog format – I just don’t know you well enough.

I was hoping for a second opinion on interpreting Colorado Boulder’s statement instructions. It says no more than 1000 words, but the prompt has a second optional part. Do you think Part 1 + Part 2 = 1000 words, or can they be two separate statements of 1000 words each (2000 total)? I’m leaning towards the former option, but would like a second opinion.

I just wanted to ask what is considered a “low” or “competitive” gpa for law schools just so I can adjust my expectations re where I should apply. I transferred to UCSB from a community college. I graduated from UCSB with a degree in Poli Sci and GPA of 3.43 not including the grades I got from community college where I got a GPA of 3.88. I only have 1 “C” and it is from an Econ class. My grades, however, is somewhat inconsistent because I went through a traumatic brain injury during my senior year. I havent taken the LSAT but so far I am testing on the high 150s and very low 160s.

Also, I am planning to write my personal statement about coming into the united states when I was 16 and learning english as a second language. But I am not sure whether I should write my diversity statement about being a member of LGBT or about being a recent cancer survivor (It says in your book that diversity statement can be about overcoming obstacles)

Xander, first, YAY GAUCHOS! Second, it sounds like you have a lot to write about and a lot of meaningful experiences to share in your applications. You can check the 25th percentile GPAs for the schools you’d like to attend to gauge what those schools consider “low”.